Uneven pigmentation affects most people, regardless of ethnic background or skin color. Skin may either appear lighter or darker than normal; there may be freckling, dark brown spots, acne scars, age spots, blotchiness, uneven skin tone, dark brown patches and/or sun damage.
Today’s skin pigmentation issues can be treated by using topical skin lighteners that inhibit melanin production, meaning that it prevents the skin from making the substance responsible for our skin color. These skin lightening treatments may contain hydroquinone, the most aggressive topical lightening ingredient as well as others that include, Kojic Acid and/or Alpha Arbutin.
Other potential skin lighteners are Licorice Extract (specifically Glabridin), azelaic acid, and stabilized Vitamin C (10-22% known as L- Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside and magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate). They act as direct inhibitors of tyrosinase, an enzyme in the skin pigment cells (known as melanocytes) that is responsible for making melanin.
Topical Hydroquinone is considered by many dermatologists to be a safer, similarly effective and less expensive option than lasers or deep peels.
Sometimes deep chemical peels are necessary for consumers who have melasma. Topical Hydroquinone comes in 2% (available in cosmetics) to 4% or more- (available from a physician or by prescription) or in combination with tretinoin (available in a prescription).
Research has shown Hydroquinone and Tretinoin (vitamin a derivative) to be a powerful combined treatment against sun damage or hormone induced melasma.
Hyperpigmentation is increased melanin production - is often referred to as melasma or solar lentigenes.
Aside from sun exposure and hormonal imbalance, hyperpigmentation can be caused by skin damage, such as acne scars, wounds and /or rashes. This is especially true for those with darker skin tones. The most typical cause of darkened areas of skin, brown spots or areas of discoloration is unprotected sun exposure.
Melasma is generally used to describe skin discolorations caused by hormones. These hormonal changes are usually the result of pregnancy, birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy.
Solar lentigens is the technical term for darkened spots on the skin caused by the sun. Solar refers to sunlight and lentigene refers to a darkened area of skin. These spots are quite common in adults with a long history of unprotected sun exposure.
Melanin has two major forms that combine to create varying skin tones. Eumelanin produces a range of brown skin and hair color, while pheomelanin produces a yellow to reddish hue.
Melanin provides some amount of sun protection for the skin by absorbing ultra violet light and darker skin colors are less susceptible to sunburn and the overall effects of sun damage. However, no matter what skin color, sunscreen is a must!
Skin Brighteners do not actually lighten your skin in any way. They are basically products that enhance the texture of your skin. Anything that promises a glow or radiance is a skin brightener. Peels and exfoliants can be thought of as skin brighteners. Results from skin brighteners are much different than that of lighteners, in that they are very mild. There is no lightening up in terms of shades, just a glow and an overall radiance.
Skin Lighteners decrease the amount of melanin in your skin. They usually contain a potent concentration of lightening actives that fade dark spots and even out skin tone by inhibiting or altering melanin synthesis.
Mitchell Group’s newest brand is called OMIC LightenUp designed to restore clear, flawless skin aggressively but safely. It is now being used by celebrities like Johnny Depp and Robert Downey Jr.
LightenUp PLUS Active Lightening Cream and New York Fair & Lovely Gel PLUS, designed for those consumers who have an urgent need to minimize discoloration and achieve an overall more even, radiant and healthy-looking complexion.
LightenUp PLUS Brand is our innovative collection that offers high performance, targeted treatments without the need for a prescription or a doctor’s appointment.
YES IT DOES! Sunscreen is the #1 Anti-Aging Treatment & helps maintain even skin tone when using lightening products
UVA Protection
Lightning products make the skin sensitive to sunlight therefore it can result in the skin becoming darker overtime.
Try our favorite SPF
Common Misconceptions:
No cosmetics should ever be used in place of a good broad spectrum sunscreen. Many make-up companies claim to have an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or 20. This is great in theory, but SPF can only refer to UVB blockers. In addition, moisturizers and foundations are absorbed by the skin, so they are by nature less effective at sitting on the skin’s surface as sunscreens are.
Sun damage doesn’t just occur from lying on the beach. It happens all the time; during winter and summer, through sunshine and rain. Even fluorescent light bulbs emit UVA and UVB rays, breaking down collagen and skin’s elasticity.
Since most sun spots are triggered by the sun, a minimum SPF 30 is highly recommended with broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection every day especially during and after lightening and brightening treatments as well as limiting sun exposure.
]]>As we age, circulation within the skin diminishes, depriving skin cells of vitamin C.
Applying anti oxidant Vitamin “C” to our skin every day is important because it's essential for the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein of the skin. And most importantly, Vitamin C is a super-powerful antioxidant that can help reduce skin damage caused by free radicals (free radicals break down collagen, the "glue" that holds skin together).
Vitamin “C” is essential for maintaining healthy skin. It is also known as Ascorbic Acid, the key producer of collagen, which gives skin its firmness and strength, helping your skin repair itself. Vitamin “C” is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage (unstable molecules that cause dark spots, rough dry skin, dullness, sun damage and fine lines and wrinkles).
Adding Vitamin “C” to your daily skincare regimen will continuously strengthen skin’s defense against environmental factors, promote collagen production and firm and brighten skin, leaving it with a much healthier, firmer, brighter appearance. Fair and White Exclusive products contain Vitamin “C”.
Helps to enhance penetration of product into skin which will give your skin amazing results!
Discoloration can make skin look 10 years older, according to studies.
As we age, the normal production of new skin cells slows down giving the skin a dull appearance. Therefore, the most effective way to treat discoloration is to enhance lightening results by exfoliating 1-2 times a week, always allowing 3-4 days between these treatments. Exfoliation is an important step to add to your daily skincare regimen because it will immediately improve skin’s texture, allowing for better penetration of lightening/brightening products. This extra step will result in the skin looking smoother and brighter, restoring an even toned appearance much quicker.
Look for exfoliating creams rather than a bar soap because exfoliating soaps can be too harsh for your complexion. Try OMIC Skin Polish Exfoliating Cream; restores a luminous complexion, instantly.
Because anti-aging begins with prevention, sunscreen is the most effective anti-aging skincare product and the best skincare advice in keeping your skin looking event toned and healthy. Its never too early or too late to begin skin maintenance. It’s all about consistency, following a regimen and allowing it time to work. Always include broad spectrum SPF (this means it protects against UVA & UVB protection) anti-oxidants, peptides and exfoliators as part of your daily skincare regimen. The only way to see a visible result is to follow a quality skincare regimen, which will change the behavior and appearance of your skin. And remember, it is possible to achieve radiant skin at any age.
Nearly every complexion can benefit from a moisturizer, even an oily one. Contrary to the popular myth that oily does skin does not need to moisturize because such hydration may lead to clogged pores is a myth; moisturizing all skin types is essential, especially during winter months and using the right moisturizer during bone chilling temperatures, matters. There’s a lipid barrier in our epidermal cells (upper most layer of skin) which protects our skin against environmental factors. Extreme dryness breaks this down and then you are susceptible to irritation which can result in inflammation. The solution is simple enough; moisturizing.
Moisturizers perform a function that is very important: they keep your skin hydrated. And as anyone has experienced, the tightness and itchiness of dehydrated skin can attest; hydrated skin is comfortable skin. Also, a good moisturizer helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, which is just as important. At the uppermost level of the skin, the straneum corneum faces a daily assault from the environment, and so a moisturizer works by creating a barrier between it and the air. Without this barrier, the skin would flake and become dry and irritated.
Another important feature of a moisturizer is its ability to help the skin maintain its own water reserve.
This ultra moisturizing Cream contains key ingredients like Moist 24 (known as Imperata Cylindrica), a unique ingredient that creates its own water reserve in the skin and works as a reparative peptide known as Acetyl tetrapeptide15 that soothes and calms over-reactive skin for 24 hours, soothing feelings of pain, burning, tingling or tightness while increasing skins water reserve. Skin’s comfort is immediately enhanced.
]]>There is a 80% chance you've been told by your doctor you're deficient in Vitamin D. If that's the case, you've probably already googled how much sun you can get to help Vitamin D levels and what foods are high in Vitamin D; but have you ever considered Vitamin D skincare?
Many don't know that Vitamin D is also extremely important for the health, beauty, and longevity of the largest organ in your body - YOUR SKIN.
The issue is while your body uses sun to create Vitamin D, the sun also speeds up skin aging and damages your skin. Eventually, causing wrinkles, sun spots, and possibly even skin cancer.
That's why Vitamin D skincare is a viable option for people who are deficient in Vitamin D or just want to help their skin cell growth and protect their skin from environmental pollutants that can cause premature aging. Consider it a boost for your skin cells immune system.
Vitamin D lotions can deliver benefits directly to your skin, preserving its softness, health, and youthful appearance.
Why sun is not the best source of Vitamin D:
Your skin has the ability to manufacture as much as 10,000 IU of vitamin D after 20–30 minutes of summer sun exposure. But there are many limiting factors to internal vitamin D synthesis that include age, skin color, geographic latitude, seasonal variation in sunlight availability, and the widespread (but necessary) use of sunscreen, which all make it difficult for your body to produce the vitamin D it needs for optimal health through sun exposure alone.
Too much sun damages the skin, creating wrinkles and fine lines, while increasing skin cancer risk. Still, your skin’s ability to synthesize a portion of its daily requirement directly from sunlight makes vitamin D unique among all other nutrients.
This is where Vitamin D skincare is helpful: rates of cell division and differentiation are triggered by growth factors and other molecules that are controlled by the presence of vitamin D. If your body is not synthesizing the necessary amounts of Vitamin D then your skin cells wont grow optimally. Therefore, you might start to see the outside layer of your skin becoming thinner and more fragile. It begins to sag because of the lack of support in your cells. This is one of the main reasons Vitamin D is essential to achieve healthy looking skin.
With one of the only skincare lines infused with Vitamin D (and Vitamin C) we recommend these three products:
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Arbutin is a naturally occurring derivative of hydroquinone. It is believed to be one of the best alternatives to hydroquinone as it provides the skin-lightening effect of hydroquinone without some of the risks. Arbutin is now found in a variety of skin care products aimed at lightening skin pigmentation. Skin lightening is often desired for cosmetic purposes to help fade or lighten hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone is considered the gold standard in skin lightening agents but as effective as it is, it is potent and it should only ever be used carefully.
Arbutin is composed of hydroquinone with a sugar group attached. The hydroquinone group allows Arbutin to act as an inhibitor of tyrosinase, a key enzyme involved in melanin (pigment) production. This inhibitory activity is due to the structural similarity of the hydroquinone group to tyrosine, which is the natural substrate for tyrosinase. This acts like a built-in safety valve, preventing the skin from being exposed to too much hydroquinone at once.
Researchers have been studying Arbutin’s ability to inhibit tyrosinase in skin cells, since the 1990s. There is promising scientific evidence to suggest Arbutin is effective as a skin lightening agent, particularly with regards to the synthetic forms, A-Arbutin and deoxyarbutin.
Step 1
Cleanse and dry your face and leave it bare for 2 hours.
Step 2
Skin Type Matters
Skin Type affects efficacy of lightening/brightening treatments.
Oily Skin –use serums or gels; they are light and refreshing, won’t clog pores, fast absorbing.
Look for Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid and/or Anti-Bacterial Tea Tree Oil which will penetrate pores to dissolve impurities and prevent breakouts. Try Original Antibacterial Soap, a cleanser that regulates oil production, reduces redness and calms skin.And if you have large pores, follow –up with Original Dermapure Toner controls excess oil, clarifying blemishes and blackheads with potent anti-inflammatory, Salicylic acid instantly absorbs oil and mattifies shine! A best seller!
Normal/Oily Skin – use gels, serums or lotions, they’re lightly hydrating without feeling greasy. Look for New York Fair & Lovely Gel PLUS.
Dry/Sensitive Skin – use creams, a creamy texture has very hydrating properties and prevents drying, irritation and flaking. Look for soothing conditioners like aloe, lavender, green tea, Vitamins A and E, nourishing Shea Butter, Hyaluronic Acid and hydrating Glycerin.
*In winter climates, wind, heat and cold can wreak havoc on the skin, resulting in dry, sensitive skin. When skin becomes dry and sensitive it cannot function properly, often leading to inflammation. Therefore, cold climates warrant a hydrating cream for all skin types; it helps to prevent moisture loss. When skin becomes too dry, it can lead to inflammation and irritation, which can result in skin becoming darker.
]]>Sugar: Skin’s Biggest Enemy
We all know that sugar has a negative effect on our waistline and teeth but what most of us don’t realize is that sugar also has an effect on our skin- and it’s not so sweet. It’s called Gycation.
What is “Glycation”? A natural process where an overabundance of sugar molecules in the blood (due to excess sugar in the diet) literally sticks to collagen and elastin fibers, causing inflammation and a stiffening of the fibers. The collagen and elastin network becomes brittle and eventually the fibers begin to snap, resulting in a loss of elasticity and firmness in the skin.
There are 2 types of Glycation:
Endogenous glycation - inside the body
A diet high in sugary processed foods leads to an overabundance of sugar in the blood, creating harmful AGE molecules which trigger inflammation and damage. AGE is more than just a number, it stands for ADVANCED GLYCATION END –PRODUCTS (what a coincidence that it spells itself out as the word “AGE”.
Exogenous glycation- outside the body
Any food with sugar combined with fats and protein and cooked over very high heat will form AGEs that are absorbed during digestion. Examples; french fries, barbecued foods seared meats etc. Besides damaging collagen, a high sugar diet also affects what type of collagen you have – another factor in how resistant skin is to wrinkling
Let me explain further; there are 3 types of collagen I, II and lll
Type lll is the most stable and longest lasting. Glycation reduces type lll collagen into type l collagen which is more fragile and less stable; as a result, skin is more prone to wrinkling.
The final blow: AGE’s deactivate your body’s natural anti-oxidant enzymes , leaving you more vulnerable to sun damage- still the main cause of skin aging.
The good news about sugar, damaged skin: It’s never too late to turn back the clock. To keep collagen supple and prevent AGE from forming, take steps to eat right and keep your skin looking youthful.
Follow tips below: